A 'helpful' Trowbridge drug dealer who was selling heroin to fund his own habit has been spared an immediate jail term.

Malcolm Gibbings, 31, couldn't have been more co-operative with police when he was arrested earlier this year, a court was told.

And after hearing that if Gibbings was jailed his brother may not be able to pay the rent on their home a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Friday how officers arrested Gibbings shortly before 10am on Friday, April 25.

"He couldn't have been more helpful and co-operative with the police. He volunteered the drugs, he had three wraps of heroin. He volunteered two mobile phones," he said.

"Back at his home address he volunteered the remaining drugs that were there, 36 wraps of heroin and one small wrap of crack cocaine.

"He acknowledged one of the mobile phones was the dealer phone. They would contact him and arrange to buy, he would arrange to sell.

"Cash was also found on him. He disclosed the hidden stash and acknowledged he was acting as the salesman for another.

"He couldn't have been more helpful if he tried. Well, he did try. He was s smaller cog moved by a larger cog but an important cog nonetheless."

Gibbings, of The Manor, Frome Road, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply and simple possession of crack cocaine.

Tony Bignall, defending, said at the time of his arrest he had a drug habit which he was funding by dealing and his helpfulness showed a certain naivety.

He said his brother, with whom he shares a tenancy, was a low paid job and may not be able to afford to stay there on his own.

"Mr Gibbings feels without the income from his benefits he will not be able to afford the rent. There is an impact on the brother if he is sent to prison," he said.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "You are a man who has had a heroin addiction for ten years now. That has been the cause of your problems.

"You co-operated very fully with the police and I take that into account. I am impressed with what is said in the pre-sentence report.

"Not only have you taken positive steps to deal with your problems with alcohol and heroin, not only have you taken steps to address your problems but you have continued to do so.

"I have to maintain the positive steps you have taken. I note the difficulties you have had in your life: learning difficulties and the like.

"There is an element about how your prison sentence might have an impact on your brother. The sentencing guidelines say that is something I should consider."

He imposed a two-year jail sentence suspended for 24 months with a drug rehabilitation requirement.